Matters of corruption, cost of living and other issues were raised during the 20th session of the Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting yesterday.
LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Mohd Yusof inquired on the effectiveness of the National Audit Committee and asked about efforts at all levels of management to avoid the breach of trust and corruption.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah replied that the committee has thus far received some 166 reports and has completed review on 59 reports.
The remaining reports are still under discussion with the Audit Department as most touch on matters regarding government financial regulations, whether it is on corruption or financial misuse.
The minister said they are holding meetings with senior officers on these issues and are regarding the matters as “serious”.
Meanwhile, LegCo member Yang Berhormat Haji Mohamad Danial @ Tekpin bin Ya’akub raised the issue on the rising cost of living and asked if studies on the matter are being conducted.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew said the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (JPES) conducts a household expenditure survey every five years.
The minister said the Household Expenditure Survey 2023-2024 is underway and the results will be used for research, policy revision and to measure the cost of basic necessities for low income earners.
Yesterday’s session also saw LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim called for flexible hours for civil servants to be able to send schoolchildren and to bring parents for medical appointments. – Azlan Othman
